Costa Mesa woman arrested on suspicion of hit-and-run

A 49-year-old Costa Mesa woman was arrested early Saturday morning after allegedly getting into a car accident, hitting the driver with her vehicle then fleeing the scene, authorities said.

The two vehicles were involved in a collision near West 19th Street and Meyer Place about 10:40 p.m. Friday, said Sgt. Bryan Wadkins of the Costa Mesa Police Department.

One of the drivers, a 24-year-old man, pulled over and got out of his car to inspect the damage, Wadkins said. He was then hit by the second driver who used her vehicle to pin him between the two cars, Wadkins said.

The suspect, identified as Vilma Velasquez, 49, fled the scene, Wadkins said.

An officer nearby happened to catch the vehicle fleeing on his dashboard camera, Wadkins said. After an investigation, police were able to locate the suspect at her apartment in the 900 block of West 19th Street, where she was arrested about 1:25 a.m., he said.

The victim suffered severe trauma to his legs and was transported to a local hospital but is expected to survive, Wadkins said.

Velasquez was booked on suspicion of felony DUI and felony hit-and-run. She is being held on $100,000 bail at the Orange County jail.

— From Los Angeles Times